SIR – Regarding the article ‘Fill shoeboxes for needy and make their Christmas’ (October 1) .
Well-meaning but unthinking journalists annually fuel Operation Christmas Child with the oxygen of publicity the moment a press release flies through the door.
Other journalists and commentators are then left to annually remind us that not everything is at first as it seems.
The slightest digging for research would have revealed that OCC is a widely criticised missionary operation by Samaritan’s Purse.
It is criticised as a covert and insensitive missionary operation which tells the children whose parents are Muslims or Hindus for example that “Jesus” has sent these gifts and that “Jesus is the greatest gift of all”.
Obviously, there is nothing wrong with additional seasonal charity.
But, there are many, many charities working for many, many causes who do not feel the need to tout particular metaphysical beliefs while they’re literally delivering the goods.
BOB CHURCHILL, Worcester.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here